Method of making wheel rims



June 9, 1931. c. SAUZEDDE 1,809,605

METHOD OF MAKING WHEEL RIMS Filed April 8, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l 8140c u for @hac/e SEAyea/e June 9, 1931. c. SAUZEDDE 1,809,605

METHOD OF MAKING WHEEL RIMS Filed p 8, 1929 '2 Sheets-Sheet 2 wuewtoz 32999 69%) @@@-@@Q QQM (9 Paterited June 9 1931!,

masses FAT CLAUDE SAUZ'JEDDE, F DETROIT, MICHIGAN MEQD 01? MG W RIMS Application filed April 8, 1929. Serial No. 353,373.

The present invention pertains to a novel method of" making rims for aeroplane and automobile wheels, and the principal object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive and eficient method to obtain maximum 11- gidity and strength with a minimum of metal to such an extent that a given strength may be increased more than double with half the amount of metal ordinarily required for such W strength. A further object is to construct the rim from a blank of metal in such a manner as to provide a seamless structure.

These objects are accomplished by starting with a flat, annular disk, or a simple disk punched to an annular shape, and performing rolling, spinning or pressing operations thereon until the required rim structure is obtained. Preferably, the first operationis performed on the inner circumference of the disk to form an upstanding boss perpendicularto the original plane of the disk by pressing in dies. The free end of the boss is then turned out to form a flange parallel to the remaining portion of the original disk. The

- flange and disk portions are then turned back to form the usual curled edges, and the boss proper is shaped to conform with the particular requirements of construction or design.

g The invention is fully disclosed by way of example in the following description and in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan View of the disk;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof after the boss has been formed; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section showing the flange formed on the boss;

Fig. 4 is a similar section showing the edges of the material partly shaped;

Fig. 5 is a section of the rim with the edges curled back; Fig. 6 is a similar section showing a furas ther shaping of the boss proper;

Fig. 7 is a detailed section of the rim, showing the nipple seats formed therein;

Fig. 8 is a detailed developed plan view of the rim;

Fig. 9 is a detrical sectional view of the completed rim with the nipple seats formed therein; and

Fig. 10 is a side elevationof the assembled wheel.

Reference to these views will now be had by use of like characters which are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout.

As shown in Fig. 1, there is provided an annular disk 1 of metal such as duralumin or any other suitable material. In view of the operations to be performed on the disk, it is preferred that the inner circumference 2 thereof be comparatively large so that the difl'erence between it and-the outer circumference 3 will be in the nature of an increment rather than a multiple.

The disk is treated at the inner circumference to form an up-standing boss 4 perpendicular to the original'plane of the disk and retaining a comparatively short flat ring 5 in said plane. The free end of the boss is then turned outwardly to form a flange 6 preferably of the same size "as the ring 5.

By means of a suitable rolling or pressing operation or any other method of forming, the straight portion of the boss 4 is bent inwardly or outwardly as at 7 near the edges thereof, and the parts 5 and 6 are bent to provide each an arcuate cross section 8 terminating in a straight lip 9. The curled parts 8 are further compressed until the lips 9 are in surface engagement .with the straight portion of the boss, whereby curled rim edges 10 are formed as shown in Fig. 5. The straight portion of the boss is then depressed centrally as at 11, or otherwise shaped in accordance with the particular requirements of structure or design. The two-ply areas formed by the lips 9 in engagement with straight parts of the central boss are cupped or depressed at intervals as at 12 and punched at 13 to form nipple seats, or provision for other fastening means, according to the style of wheel intowhich the rim is to be assembled. In, the assembly of the wheel,

spokes 14 have one end secured to a hub member 15 and the remaining end threaded into a nipple 16 mounted in the corresponding seat. Each nipple has a screw head 17 whereby it may be turned by means ofa screw driver to draw up the spoke with which it is enaged. The inner end of the nipple is ormed with facets for engagement by a tool in order to release or further tighten the nipple with respect to the spoke. A screw or rivet would be used insteadof a nipple for a disk wheel, but in all cases the nipple or other fastening element serves to hold the edge 9 of the curled lip tight against the body of the rim.

The various operations performed in shaping the metal may be accomplished by rolling, spinning or similar processes. It will be seen that the resulting product is entirely unitary, having no seams or joints of any nature, and may be formed to any desired size or shape determined by the size of the original blank and the form of the shaping too s. Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it-will be understood that various alterations inthe details of construction may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as indicated by the appended claims.

What I claim is 1. A method of making a wheel rim conintervals to form seats for securing elements.

6. A method of making a wheel rim consisting, in forming in a disk of metal, a central boss perpendicular to the original plane of the disk and leaving aring in said disk,

forming a flange from said boss, shaping said ring and flange into curled rim edges, and lapping the marginal portions of said ring and flange into surface engagement with said boss to form areas of two-ply metal, suitable for use in forming seats for securing elements for said rim.

7. A method of making a wheel rim consisting, in forming in a disk of metal, a central boss perpendicular to the original plane of the disk and leaving a flat ring in said disk, flanging the free end of said boss into a plane parallel to the plane of said ring, and shaping said ring and flange into curled rim edges, lapping the marginal portions of said ring and flange into surface engagement with said boss to form areas of two-ply metal, and depressing said areas at intervals to form "seats for securing elements.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature.

CLAUDE SAUZEDDE.

said boss, and shaping said ring and flange into curled rim edges.

2. A method of making a wheel rim consisting, in formin in a disk of metal, a win tral boss perpendicular to the original plane of .the disk and leaving a flat rin in said disk, flanging the free end of said oss, and

shaping said ring and flange into curled rim edges.

3. A method of making a wheel rim consistingin formin in a disk of metal, a central boss perpendicular to the'original plane of the disk and leaving a flat ring in said disk, flanging the free end of'said boss into a plane parallel to the plane of said ring.

4. A method of making a vwheel rim consisting in forming a central boss in a disk of plane of said disk, flanging the free end of said boss, and shaping said rin and flangeinto curled rim edges, lapping t e marginal ortions of said ring and flange into sur- 'metal and retaining a flat ring in the original 

